By Healthcare Facilities Today

Hospital facility managers are continually plagued by preventable building damage and health-threatening conditions caused by the failure to drain condensate from air conditioning systems, according to an article in the September/October issue of Medical Construction & Design magazine.

When condensate is not removed it stands in the drain pan, overflows the drain pan and/or is blown onto internal components where it causes damage and encourages growth of pathogens

According to the article, commonly used drain systems include condensate traps, which make reliable drainage virtually impossible.

The damage and contamination caused by condensate trap failures occurs inside the air handler and air ducts is not readily visible, even to maintenance personnel. On the other hand, damage to some buildings can be seen by all occupants. 

The signs of drainage problems are stained ceiling tiles and dripping water, which are often attributed to roof leaks. Although, one architect experienced in managing building maintenance stated that more than 95 percent of so-called “roof leaks” were found to be condensate from air conditioning units, the article said.

The opportunity to investigate the cause of ceiling and other property damage experienced in a local print shop led to the study and definition of more than a dozen common trap failure modes.

Read the article.